STB schedules hearing on mandatory competitive switching

Written by
William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-Chief

The Surface Transportation Board has scheduled an Oct. 22, 2013 public hearing to explore issues surrounding the National Industrial Transportation League (NITL) petition to modify the Board’s standards for mandatory competitive switching.

NITL proposes that certain captive shippers located in terminal areas be granted access to a competing railroad, if there is a working interchange within a reasonable distance (30 miles, under NITL’s proposal),” STB noted. “The Board has received numerous comments in response to NITL’s proposal, and has scheduled the hearing to explore further the issues raised in this proceeding.”

The hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m., in the Board’s Hearing Room at the agency’s headquarters located at 395 E Street, S.W. in Washington, D.C. Parties wishing to participate must file a notice of intent to participate (identifying the party, proposed speaker, and speaking time requested) no later than Sept. 23, 2013.